Hair cutters

ABSTRACT

A plurality of improved hair cutters are shown of the type in which a blade carrier supports a double-edged blade for lateral movement in either of two directions respectively toward one set of apexes and toward the other set of apexes formed by a partially or fully enclosing cage made up of wire a plurality of elements of substantially identical shape and small crosssection. In order to avoid risks incident in changing blades, structure is provided for relatively longitudinal movement of a whole of either the blade carrier or the cage. This provision of relative longitudinal movement of the blade and the cage preferably can occur only when the blade carrier supports the blade in a predetermined position between the oppositely disposed apexes. In that predetermined position, the sharp edges of the blade are shielded in manner such that accidental cutting or other injury will be avoided.

United States Patent [191 Spanel Dec. 24, 1974 HAIR CUTTERS [76]Inventor: Abram Nathaniel Spanel, 344 Lawrence. Smith Stockton St.,Princeton, NJ. 08540 Asslstam Exammerhgary Smth Attorney, Agent, orFzrm-Steele & Petock [22] Filed: Mar. 12, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 340,379[57] ABSTRACT A pluralit of improved hair cutters are shown of theRelated Apphcatlon Data type in wli ich a blade carrier supports adouble-edged Continuation-impart of 321,343, 5, blade for lateralmovement in either of two directions 1973- respectively toward one setof apexes and toward the other set of apexes formed by a partially orfully en- [52] US. Cl 30/30, 30/54, 30/55 closing cage made up of wire aplurality of elements of [51] hit. Cl B26!) 21/12 substantiallyidentical Shape and Sma cross section. [58] Field Of Search 30/30, 31,62-65, In Order to avoid risks incident in Changing blades,

30/54 320 structure is provided for relatively longitudinal movement ofa whole of either the blade carrier or the [56] References cued cage.This provision of relative longitudinal movement UNITED STATES PATENTSof the blade and the cage preferably can occur only 2,636,261 4 1953Schaeffer 30/30 when the blade carrier pp the blade in a P 2,650,42l9/1953 Wietzel 30/30 termined position between the oppositely disposed31,717 l/l956 Spane 30/ apexes. In that predetermined position, thesharp 3,289,295 12/1966 Tomvanw 30/30 edges of the blade are shielded inmanner such that 3,358,367 12/1967 Barney 30/30 accidental cutting orother injury will be avoided. 3,613,233 10/1971 Lundell 30/30 3,754,3258/1973 Tornvall 30/30 51 Claims, 24 Drawing Figures HAIR CUTTERSBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to hair cutters for home and other uses which may be safely usedby men, women, and children for hair cutting, grooming, and for eitherminimum or extensive trimming of the hair to suit the particular styledesired.

2. Prior Art In my US. Pat. No. 2,731,7l7, I have shown a number ofdifferent embodiments. The embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 inclusive has provedto be the most satisfactory, though it left something to be desired aswill be explained. Within a generally diamond-shaped cage formed by aplurality of spaced wires and having a gap in one side there wasdisposed a double-edged blade movable laterally along a plane whichbisected oppositely disposed apexes. The angle-shape of the tinesprovided a desired spacing between the scalp and the selected positionof the cutting edge of the blade adjacent one or the other apexes. Thelateral adjustment was readily accomplished by a thumb wheel carried bythe handle portion. In order to change blades, a clamping element had tobe moved relative to clamping studs and physically moved through the gapprovided between the free ends of the tines on one side of the haircutter. Then the blade had to be moved over the clamping post andsimilarly removed. The procedure had to be reversed with a new blade.During the needed replacement of blades, partly due to the needed highdegree of sharpness required for efficient hair cutting, there wasalways danger of injury due to accidental contact with the cuttingedges. Though there was shown in FIG. 6 an embodiment in which the cagecould be removed as a whole from the device to expose the blade carrier,blade and clamping element, instead of achieving greater safety whenchanging the blade the device was converted into one in which the bladewas securely held and at the same time unprotected in any way fromaccidental contact with one or the other of the cutting edges. Becauseof these dangers, the cutting device of FIG. 6 was not considered ofadequate safety for commercial production. In my copending applicationSer. No. 321,343, I disclosed and claimed not only improved drivingmeans for the blade carrier which permitted a wider selection ofspacings between each of the opposed apexes of the cage and the bladeedge adjacent thereto but also improvements in the cage itself includingdisposition of the several elements so as to provide a camming ortransverse movement of hair relative to the cutting blade to increasethe efficiency of the cutting action. The latter feature is shown as apart of the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention,structure is provided for the mounting of the cage and of the bladecarrier for relative longitudinal movement as a whole of one of themrelative to the other to expose the blade carrier for unobstructedremoval therefrom and placement thereon of the blade. Provision is madeto prevent this relative longitudinal movement from taking place bysafety locks which are released in only one selected lateral position ofthe blade carrier. In that selected position the blade is shielded sothat accidental contact with either cutting edge is prevented Byincluding this safety provision, not only is blade changing made easierand safer, but structural improvement may be made in the cage. Forexample it may be entirely closed either by the elements of the cagethemselves or by interconnecting the free ends by a transparent plasticelement or other suitable material to provide bracing. In either casethe cage strength is increased to prevent any damaging deformation fromthe originally produced, efficient cutting configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1-11 illustrate one form of theinvention; more particularly,

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partially in section of the embodiment inwhich the cage can only be removed when blade carrier is in a safetyposition and after operation of a safety device;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section taken on the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the underside of the hair cutter showing thecage in its removed position and the blade carrier constrained to itssafety position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the thumbwheel having an arrowwhich in the safety position points in the direction of the baladecarrier;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the underside of the thumbwheel of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the spring having a pair of detents which aredisposed to engage serrations on the underside of the thumb-wheel ofFIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view partly in section illustrating the operation ofthe safety device which in its illustrated position shows the cageunlatched for removal, which is possible only when the blade carrier isin its safety position;

FIG. 8 is a fractional perspective view of the driving gear, safety-discand constraining member of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation partly in section illustrating how uponrelease of the latching device from its operated position it iseffective to constrain the blade carrier to its safety position with thecage removed; this Figure also illustrates the removal of the blade andblade clamp from the blade carrier;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the safety latching member togetherwith its releasing knob;

FIG. 11 is a fractional perspective view showing the constraining memberafter movement from the safetydisc to a position between the teeth ofthe driving gear;

FIG. 12 is a fractional side elevation partly in section of the deviceof FIG. I, but illustrating the structural changes needed for theplacement of the release button on the opposite or upper side of thehandle;

FIG. 13 is a partial side elevation partially in section illustratingthe positions of the parts upon operation on the safety or releasebutton;

FIG. 14 is a partial side elevation, partially in section illustratingthe positions of the parts upon release of the release button and themovement of the constraining member to engage the teeth of the drivinggear to constrain the blade carrier in its safety position duringremoval and replacement of the blade;

FIGS. 15 and 16 are fractional side elevations, partly in sectionillustrating a modified form of safety mechanism in each of two of itspositions;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a modified form of the invention in whichthe lateral driving mechanism for blade carrier is bodily movable intothe confines of the cage FIG. 20) with concomitant movement of the bladecarrier outside of the cage for easy replacement of the blade;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken on the line 18l8 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 19-19 of FIG. 17and illustrates the longitudinal driving knob and the latch release inpositions for longitudinal movement of the blade carrier;

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of FIG. 17 with the blade carrier in itsposition outside the cage;

FIG. 21 is a side elevation of FIG. 20 showing the blade and blade clampremoved from the blade carrier;

FIG. 22 is a plan view of another modified form of the invention;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged sectional view of the hair cutter of FIG. 22; and

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of selected parts of the haircutter of FIGS. 22 and 23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to the drawings, the invention inone form has been shown as applied to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-1 1comprising the hair cutter having a double-edged blade 11 held byclamping member 12 and posts 13 secured to a blade carrier 14. The bladecarrier 14 is slidably supported on a flat plate member 16a which, asshown, is an extension of the bottom portion of handle 16. Thesub-assembly so far described is enclosed within a cage 18 comprising aplurality of tines or elements of substantially identical shape, each ofrelatively small cross-sectional area and forming oppositely disposedapexes 18a and 18b as best shown in FIG. 2. Preferably each of saidtines or elements is a wire which is round, curvilinear, of narrowrectangular, or triangular cross-section. Thus, in the embodiment shownin FIG. 2 each tine or element 18c and the remaining tines or elementsas a whole are of generally diamond-shape formed by interconnectedsubstantially equilateral triangles.

Each wire element or tine 18c, FIG. 2, has an intermediate midportion18d disposed inwardly of the base portions of the oppositely disposedtriangles to provide clearance for hair to move between the tines. Eachintermediate portion 18d extends through channels or slots providedalong the bottom of a cage carrier 20. By upsetting the metal partlyaround each midportion 18d the tine is securely held in fixed position.Clearance for hair to pass through the tines is also provided on theopposite side as by the inturned portions which terminate in free ends.To provide additional bracing and support for these free ends, they areembedded within a plate 22, preferably of transparent, plastic whichextends the full length of the cage 18.

As more fully explained in my 'copending application Ser. No. 321,343,the elements or tines of the cage 18 are so shaped as to provide acamming action or sidewise movement of the hair along a cutting edge ofthe blade. Thus, as best seen in FIGS. 1-3 the apical or bight portionsl8e lie in planes substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axisof the blade. The remainder of each of the tines of the cage 18 isslanted to provide the camming action on each subdivided portion of hairin such manner as to prevent an unsightly chop or ugly ridged type ofhaircut, which easily happens unless the hair be moved sideways toproduce a tapered cut having a gradation substantially following thecurvilinear configuration of the head. The straight portions 18c areprovided for better control in the areas where a hair part is formed andalong the neck and in the regions of the sideburns where normally ashorter cut is desired, often akin to shaving.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the plate member 16a throughout itsintermediate portion has a width sufficient to effectively shield bothedges of the blade 11 when the blade is in a substantially centeredposition relative to plate member 16a. Thus, in the position best shownin FIG. 2 the blade is in its shielded position, namely in a non-cuttingposition. Accordingly, if the cage be removed as shown in FIG. 3, itwill be seen that the blade is fully shielded and cannot accidentally doinjury to a person which would otherwise be the case.

In order to move the blade from its shielded position, a transportmechanism, similar to that in my earlier issued Pat. No. 2,731,717, isutilized, but having signifi' cant differences. The blade carrier 14 inFIG. 1 has a convex curved surface 14a slidably engaging a concavecurved surface of an extension of the upper plate 16b forming a part ofthe handle 16. The outer extremity of the bottom plate 16a of the handle16 terminates in a T-shaped end 16k bent back upon itself to provide aguide channel for the outer extremity of the blade carrier 14. The bladecarrier 14 at its opposite end terminates in a rack gear 14c whichmeshes with a driving gear 24. The driving gear 24 is secured to a stubshaft 26. Also secured to the stub shaft 26 is a thumb-wheel or knob 18the underside of which has a plurality of radial serrations, V-shapednotches 28b best shown in FIG. 5, into which there extends, on oppositediametral portions of the wheel 28, the V-shaped detents 30 a and 30b ofthe two arms of a spring member 30 the shape of which is best shown inFIG. 6. This spring member 30 is suitably fastened as by riveting, asshown to the upper plate 16b of handle 16. The top of the thumbwheel 28has an arrow 28a, FIG. 4, which, with the parts in the positionsillustrated, points in a direction along the mid-longitudinal axis ofthe blade support 16a, for purposes later to be explained.

As shown by a double-headed arrow 32, FIG. 1, the thumb-wheel 28 may berotated either in a clockwise or counterclockwise directioncorrespondingly to drive the gear 24 and through the rack 14c, the bladecarrier 14, to move the blade 11 from its protected position outwardlyeither to the right or to the left, as viewed in FIG. 2, and into aselected cutting position. The arrow 18a is useful to indicate to a userthat with the arrow in different selected angular positions desiredreproducible cutting can be obtained as determined from previousexperience with the cutter. Thus, with an edge of the blade 11 movedjust outside the protected position, trimming of hair at its greaterlength will be best achieved. As the cutting edge is moved nearer andnearer to the apex portions (tine-angles), the cutting ,will produceprogressively graded shorter hair. Due to the separated tines of thecage which provide for passage of hair between them with littleobstruction, there is little accumulation of cut hair within the cutterand the position of the cutting edges of the blade 11 can be observed atall times. Also, the cutter cuts equally well with either face of thecutter against the hair and thus, with a blade edge in any one of agreat number of selected positions relative to its adjacent apex,substantially the same cutting action is provided regardless of whetherthe cutter is held in either the right or the left hand.

As already explained, for close cutting a blade edge will be moved to aposition where it almost touches the adjacent inner surface of the apexportion (tine angle). Another feature of my copending application Ser.No. 321 ,343 is here utilized for the purposse of preventing damagingnicking of blade edges by having one or more of the tines, as forexample tine 18f, FIG. 3, shorter than the remaining tines so that theblade will be stopped by engaging the inner surface of that tine withoutengaging any of the remaining tines. Alternatively, a suitable stop forthe blade carrier may be provided to achieve this desirable purpose.Also one or more shortened tines may serve as a stopping structure toprevent close cutting by one or both cutting edges; thus preventingovercutting during initial use of the cutter.

When it is desired to change blades, the release button 34 will bepressed inwardly to the position shown in FIG. 7. This will release thelatch formed by the upturned, or hook-shaped, end 20a of the cagecarrier 20 from the depending latch member 35 carried by the latchingelement 36 made of spring steel or other resilient material. The endportion 36a of latching element 36 prevents release of the latch if theblade 11 is not in its shielded position. If it is in the shieldedposition then the narrow end portion 36a can be moved upwardly into theradial notch 37, FIG. 8, provided in the safety disc 38 secured to thestub shaft 26.

With the latch released, it is only necessary to engage the downturnedend 20b with thumb or finger to move the cage from the position shown inFIGS. 1 and 7 to the position shown in FIG. 3. With the parts nowexposed, it becomes a simple matter, FIG. 9, to engage tab 12a to movethe blade clamp 12 to the left to release it from the slotted studs 13and thence to remove the blade 11. Replacement is readily accomplishedby dropping the blade over the studs 13 and then clamping it intoposition with the blade clamp 12 whose outer angularly disposed sidewalls provide adequate spring action to achieve this purpose, as bestshown in FIG. 2.

While the cage is in its removed position, it will be noted that bothhands will be required: one to hold the hair cutter, and the other tomanipulate the blade clamping member 12. Thus, the release button 34 maybe freed to drop to the position shown in FIG. 9. The blade carrier 14is then constrained to its safety position by the descent of the end 36aof the latching member 36 into the space between the teeth of thedriving gear 24 as shown in FIG. 11. This constraining featureeffectively prevents rotation of that gear by the thumbwheel 28. Thusthe blade 11 during the time it is mounted on the blade support 14 is atall times in its shielded position. It is to be understood that thelatching element 36 best shown in FIG. is of spring metal and issuitably fastened, as riveted, to the lower member 16a of the handle 16.Due to its width, it is laterally rigid and resists twisting caused byany attempts to move the adjusting wheel 28. Thus, the safety means iseffective in achieving its functions.

Returning now to FIG. 3, in order to replace the cage 18 to itscooperative relation with the blade 11 and its associated mechanism, itwill be observed that the right hand side of the cage carrying member 20extends outwardly of the cage proper. This is for the purpose ofproviding visual aid for insertion of its inturned tracks provided bythe inturned sides of the plate carrier 20 as best shown in FIG. 2, ontothe downwardly and outwardly extending tracks 16e and 16f of the platemember 16a forming part of the handle 16. The track or guideways Me and16f of plate member 16a are formed by punching and shaping intermediateportions of that plate member.

Ass soon as the guideways mate, the cage as a whole is then smoothlyslid into place and the rounded end of latching member 20a engages theinclined surface of the companion latching member 35 to raise theelement upwardly until the hook-shaped end 20a moves beyond the shoulderof the latching member 35. At this point it drops into place, FIG. 1,holding the parts securely in position and against any accidentaldislodgement of the cage during use or in other handling of the cutter.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11, the latching member 36 provides adownward bias to assure movement of its end 36a into constrainingengagement with the gear 24. In the embodiment now to be discussed, thatmember provides a bias against movement both above and below a neutral,intermediate, position.

In order to place the release button 34 on the same side of the cutteras the thumb-wheel 28, the latching element 40, FIG. 12, is of generallythe same configuration as shown in FIG. 10, but differs therefrom. As inFIG. 10 it is fastened as by riveting at 41 to the bottom plate 16a ofthe handle 16. But near the riveted end there is an upwardly extendinginclined portion 40a, and then a flat portion extending out to itsnarrow end 40b which cooperates with the locking disc 38 and the gear 24as in the preceding.

By providing a ridge 16d intermediate the length of the latching element40, inward movement of the release button 34, FIG. 13, will cause thelatching element 40 to lift the latch member 35 above the upturned end20a of the cage carrier 20 to release it for withdrawal as explained inconnection with FIGS. l-11. When the blade carrier 14 is in theunshielded position upward movement will be prevented as in thepreceding embodiment by the disc 38. When in the shielded position end40b enters notch 37 of disc 38 permitting release of the latch 35, 20a.

After removal of the cage 18, the button 34 is released and under theinfluence of the spring-bias of element 40, it moves upwardly andelement 40b moves downwardly until into meshing engagement with thedriving gear 24, FIG. 14, so that the blade remains constrained to itsshielded position upon removal of the cage.

Upon return of cage 18 to the position shown in FIG. 12, the latchingelement 40 is returned to its initial latched position as illustrated inthat Figure.

In embodiments now to be described, like reference characters have beenapplied to identify the same parts as in the preceding modifications.

Corning now to the embodiments of FIGS. 15 and 16 a modified form ofsafety mechanism is shown. In the structure shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 alatching element 42 has its left end carrying the wedge-shaped latch 35.It is moved upwardly by movement to the left of a slider 44 the topsurface of which is knurled for frictional engagement by the thumb. Asshown in FIG. 15, the concave groove of the slider has disposed withinit the convex portion 42a of element 42 which thus restrains the sliderfrom accidental movement and requires a slight amount of force to moveit to the left. As the slider 44 is moved to the left, an inclinedsurface thereof engages an inclined surface 42b of the latching eiement42 to move it downwardly. It then pivots over a fulcrum 16d to lift thelatch 35 to release the hooked end 200 of the cage carrier 20. When theforegoing occurs, the parts occupy the positions shown in FIG. 16. Thus,the latching element 35 is in its fully elevated position and theconcave surface on the underside of the slider 44 now has within it theconcave surface 42c of the latching element 42. Due to the spring biason the slider 44, it is restrained from movement absent the applicationof force applied by thumb or finger to move slider 44 to the right asviewed in FIG. 16.

It is to be observed that the slider 44 has secured to it a constrainingelement 46 with a free end which is moved from the position in FIG. tothe position in FIG. 16. In the latter position the end of theconstraining element 46 extends between the teeth of the driving gear 24so that the knob 28 cannot be turned whenever the slider 44 is in theposition shown in FIG. 16. As in the preceding embodiments, theserrations or radial grooves 28b form the indexing means for the knob28, as shown in FIG. 5. Two of them, 28c, 28c, diametrically disposed,have grooves much deeper than the remainder of the grooves thus tosignal the operator of the fact knob 28 is in the mid-position, with theblade 1 1 in its safety position. The arrow, FIG. 4, then points indirections to coincide with the central longitudinal axis of thesupporting member 16a for the blade carrier 14.

When the cage is returned to its enclosing position, the knob orthumb-wheel 28 may not be moved until the slider 44 has been returned tothe position shown in FIG. 15. In this latter position the latch 35 hasmoved downwardly to engage its companion member 200 to latch the cage inposition.

In the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 17-21, bladechanging is accomplished with increased safety and with the movement ofthe blade carrier 14 and blade 11 outwardly of the cage by a slider 52provided in the handle portion of the hair cutter 10, FIG. 17. Theoutward movement of blade carrier 14 and blade 11 from the cage can onlybe accomplished when the blade occupies its shielded position onsupporting member 50. The safety means for accomplishing this objectivediffers from those in the preceding embodiments. These means will now bedescribed in detail. Within the handle 16 there is slidably mounted anextension 50a of a supporting member 50. This member 50 is provided atits outer end with a T-shaped end 50b which forms a transverse guidewaywithin which there is slidably mounted one end of the blade carrier 14.The member 50 has an intermediate portion bent back upon itself andterminating in a downwardly concave portion 50c forming a roundedguideway for the convex portion 14a, FIG. 21, of the blade carrier 14which, as in preceding modifications, terminates in a rack gear 140,FIG. 17, with which there meshes the driving gear 24, FIG. 21, driven bythe knob 28.

The supporting member 16a, FIG. 18, has a fixed post or bearing member54, one end of which has a round flange nesting within a channel 50fextending lengthwise of the supporting member 50. The round midportionof bearing member 54 extends through a narrow slot provided in member 50coextensive with channel 50f. The post or bearing member 54 terminatesin a flat head which is received in a widened portion of channel 50f.The round portion of post 54 then extends through an opening insupporting member 16a and terminates in a threaded end to which a nut isattached or it may be secured in fixed position by other means such asby riveting. Thus, the member 50 is mounted for sliding movementrelative to frame member 16a.

In order to move the slidable supporting member 50 and its associatedcomponent parts from the positions shown in FIG. 17, to the positionsshown in FIG. 20, a slider 52 extending upwardly through an elongatedslot 16m in the handle 16 which when pressed downwardly releases thelatch 53, as shown in FIG. 19. Thus, the extension 50a of member 50 isflexible enough to permit the deflection downwardiy. A member 50g whichforms a fulcrum for the extension 50a may be a part of the supportingmember 50 and the other portion 50a may be a second member as shown inFIGS. 19 and 21. As shown, the slider extension 50g is a part of thesupporting member 50 and the slider 52 is secured to the U-shaped end5011 as by a riveting, brazing or other suitable means. The indexingspring 30 for thumbwheel 28, FIG. 21, is likewise secured to theassembly at the location of the U-shaped end 50h and serves the purposeas in the preceding embodiments for its cooperation with the serrationsof the knob to provide the indexing means. Preferably, the deeperdiametral slots 280 (FIG. 5) are likewise utilized as furtherindications of the shielded position of the blade 11 with reference toits supporting member 50. As best shown in FIG. 20, the supportingmember 50 has a width sufficient to effectively shield both edges ofblade 11 when the latter is in a substantially centered positionrelative to 50.

As soon as the latch 53 is released, the slider 52 may be pushed to theleft, a narrow longitudinal slot 16m in handle member 16b being providedfor a narrow shoulder on slider 52. The slider 52 can be moved to theleft, only when the arrow shown in FIG. 17 points outwardly along thelongitudinal axis of the blade assembly. This safety means accomplishesthe stated objective by reason of the subdivision of the downwardlyconcave guides, one of them, 16g, being on one side of knob 28 and theother, 16h, on the opposite side. Both of the ways formingguidingsurfaces 16g and 16h are formed from the supporting member 1612 of thehandle.

If the knob 28 is rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise directionaway from the safety position shown in FIG. 17, the gear rack 14c andthe blade carrier and associated blade will move upwardly or downwardlytoward the upper or lower row of bights respectively. As this movementoccurs, the upwardly convex portion of the carrier 14, FIG. 21, movesinto sliding engagement along the downwardly convex portion of 16g or16h respectively. Such engagement then prevents any longitudinal outwardmovement of the assembly by attempts to operate the slider 52.

With the parts centered, however, as shown in FIG. 17, then uponreleasing the latch 53, the supporting member 50 can be moved to theleft until the blade 11 is fully exposed. At this time, the tab 12a maybe used to move the blade clamp 12 to the left until its larger openingsregister with the posts or studs 13 for removal of the clamping bladeand then the blade itself for changing blades, the parts thereupon beingin the positions shown in FIG. 21.

When the slider 52 is in its left-hand position, FIGS. 20 and 21, thelatching element of extension 50a then registers with a notch 53c tohold the parts in the extended position. This is a further protectivefeature in that when the blade clamp is being released longitudinalmovement of the assembly as a whole is prevented thus decreasing dangerof accidental injury by reason of the sharp edges of the blade.

After the blade has been changed and the blade clamp 12 returned to itsclamping position, the slider 52 is again pressed downwardly to releaseits engagement with the latching recess 53c and thence moved along thelength of the handle from the position of FIG. 20 to the position ofFIG. 17. The latch 53 is again engaged and the hair cutter is then readyfor use with the new blade.

Inasmuch as the protective features earlier realized have been providedby reason of the fact that the blade changing now takes place outside ofthe cage, it will be seen that the cage 18 itself may fully enclose theblade and its associated assembly as clearly shown in FIG. 18. Theindividual wires, tines, or elongated elements comprising each elementof the cage may be formed singly and each shaped to conform with thedesired pattern for the hair-camming actions earlier described and soillustrated in FIGS. 17, 20 and 21 or the elements may be continuouswith crossovers taking place in the region of the mounting plate and thegrooves.

In a further embodiment of the hair cutter, as illustrated in FIGS.22-24, there are utilized a number of the features earlier described inthe preceding embodiments. Instead of longitudinally moving the completedriving mechanism for lateral movement of the blade 11 as in FIGS.17-21, in the embodiment of FIGS. 22-24 the adjusting knob orthumb-wheel 28 has its stub shaft 26 rotatably carried by the bottommember 16a of the frame forming the handle portion 16 of the hair cutterwhile only the remaining portion of the lateral driving mechanism ismoved longitudinally. As will be explained, the rack gear 61b separatesfrom the driving gear 24 when the blade carrier is longitudinally movedto an exposed position outside of the cage 18.

The cage 18 is mounted on, or carried by, the stationary extension ofthe bottom portion 16a of the handle 16 as in the embodiment of FIGS.1721. The driving gear 24 is secured to stub shaft 26 intermediate itsends to provide space above and below it respectively for the upper arm60a and the lower arm 60d of the U-shaped member 60 to which the slider52 is secured. The upper arm 60a has an elongated slot 60b through whichextends the portion of stub shaft 26 above gear 24. The arm 60aterminates in the curvilinear guideway 600. This forms one portion ofthe guideway for the blade carrier 61, the other curvilinear portion 61abeing formed from the end portion of the blade carrier 61 whichterminates in the rack gear 61b. The lower arm 60d of U-shaped member 60also has an elongated slot 60e through which extends the portion of stubshaft 26 below gear 24. An extension of the lower arm 60d forms thesupport for the blade carrier 61 and terminates in a T-shaped end 60fcorresponding in shape and function to the corresponding T-shaped end orguideway 50b of the modification of FIGS. 17-21.

To change blades, the slider 52 is pressed downward to release latchingelement 53 and is then moved to the left from the position shown in FIG.23 to the position shown in FIG. 22. It should be noted that suchmovement cannot occur unless the arrow 28a be pointing in a directionalong the longitudinal axis of the cage which indicates that the blade11 is in its substantially centered position on the support d, in whichposition the support has a width sufficient to effectively shield bothedges of blade 1 l to prevent accidental contact and re sultant injury.The longitudinal movement of the slider 52 moves with it the U-shapedmember 60. The upper and lower slots form guides by the contact of theirside walls with the stub shaft 26. The curvilinear guideways 61a and 600in combination with bearing surfaces 16g and 16h prevent movement of theblade carrier and blade unless the blade is in its shielded position, asin the preceding embodiments. With the initial longitudinal outwardmovement of blade support 60d the rack gear 61b disengages itself fromthe driving gear 24. Thus, the blade 11 is constrained by friction toits shielded protected position on blade support 60d during the time itis exposed for blade-changing purposes.

With the blade and carrier outside the cage, bladechanging isaccomplished as earlier described in connection with the precedingembodiments.

To return the assembly to hair-cutting positions within the cage 18, theslider 52 is pressed downwardly to release latching member 53 and isthen moved to the right. Since the teeth of the engaging gears arepointed. meshing of the rack gear 61b with the driving gear 24 isautomatically accomplished.

Normally there is adequate friction in the embodiment of FIGS. 17-24provided by the arm members 60a and 60d to make unnecessary the need ofa latch to hold the assembly in the hair-cutting position. If desired,and as shown in FIG. 24, there may be provided notches 53c, 53ccooperating with a detent which provides additional restraint againstlongitudinal movement of the components which move inwardly andoutwardly of the cage.

In each of the several embodiments, the two elements 16a and 16b of thehandle may be formed from sheet metal with one being rolled over theother as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 20. This provides strong mechanicalstructure for the handle and the hair cutter 10 as a whole. It is, ofcourse to be understood that the use of sheet metal is not essential tothe invention since the parts can be made of any selected materialsincluding rigid plastic molding compounds except, of course, for theblade 11 which should be of a good quality stainless steel or other hardmaterial which will sustain and maintain sharp cutting edges. It ispreferred that the elements of the cage be formed of stainless steelwire or equivalent.

Now that the principles common to the several embodiments have beenfully explained, it is to be understood that features of one embodimentmay be utilized with other embodiments all within the scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims. For example, instead ofutilizing the cage construction of FIG. 18 in the embodiment of FIGS.17-21 inclusive, the cage construction of FIG. 2 may be used even thoughthe cage of the embodiment of FIGS. 17-21 provides more clearance forfree movement of hair through both sides of the cage than in thepreceding modifications.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a hair cutter having a cage made up of aplurality of elements, each of relatively small cross-sectional area,forming at least one row of apexes,

a blade carrier for supporting a blade for lateral movement in either oftwo directions, respectively toward away from said apexes,

a support for said blade carrier,

driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing said lateralmovement thereof,

means for mounting said cage and said blade carrier for relativelongitudinal movement of one of them, relative to the other, to exposesaid blade carrier for unobstructed removal therefrom and placementthereon of said blade, and

means for preventing said relative longitudinal movement in all but oneof its lateral positions.

2. The combination of claim 1, in which said mounting means for saidcage has a tab for assisting in the movement of said cage longitudinallyof said support for blade carrier.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1, in which said support for saidblade carrier has a width sufficient to provide protection againstaccidental contact with at least one edge of the blade when said bladecarrier is in a substantially centered position relative to said bladecarrier supporting member.

4. The combination of claim 3, in which said cage at least partiallysurrounds said blade carrier, and in which said mounting means for saidcage is slidable relative to said blade carrier for removal of said cagefrom a hair-cutting position to expose said blade for blade changingpurposes,

latching means for said cage, a first element of which is movable withsaid mounting means, and

a manually operable element forming a second element of the latchingmeans for engaging said first element when said cage is in saidhair-cutting position,

said means for preventing said relative longitudinal movement of saidcage with respect to said blade carrier including restraining means forrestraining release of said latching means except when said blade issubstantially centered in its position on said support for said bladecarrier.

5. The combination of claim 4, in which there is provided,

a handle portion for the hair cutter secured to said support for saidblade carrier,

said restraining means being carried by said handle portion.

6. The hair cutter of claim 4, in which said manually operable elementis carried by said handle portion and is exposed on the same side of thehandle portion as said manually rotatable element, and fulcrum means formoving one element of said latching means in a direction opposite toinward movement of said manually operable means to release said latchingmeans.

7. The combination of claim 4, in which said restraining means includesa disc having a notch, said second element of said latching means havingan extension which can enter said notch only when said blade carrier isin its said substantially centered position, thus permitting unlatchingonly when said blade carrier is in its substantially centered position,

said driving means including driving and driven gears,

and an extension of said manually operated latching memberinterlockingly engaging one of said gears to constrain movement of saidblade carrier away from said substantially centered position during andafter movement of said cage to a position exposing said blade carrierand blade.

8. The combination of claim 7, in which said latching means and saidrestraining means are separate elements, and slider means mounted withinthe handle portion and movable lengthwise from a latching position to alatch releasing position conjointly to release said latching means andto constrain said blade carrier in its centered position during andafter removal of said cage.

9. The combination of claim 3, in which said driving means for producingsaid lateral movement of said blade carrier includes a manuallyrotatable element having a plurality of notches, a spring biased intoengagement with said notches to provide indexing means for saidrotatable member, at least one of said notches being deeper than theremaining notches and serving to indicate when said blade carrier is inits said substan tially centered position.

10. The combination of claim 1, in which said means for mounting saidblade carrier for longitudinal movement comprises guideways formed inthe frame longitudinally thereof,

a support for said blade carrier slidably mounted by said guideways,

an extension from said blade carrier extending lengthwise of the handle,

a slider member for moving said supporting means and its associatedblade carrier outwardly of the cage to expose the blade carrier andblade in a position removed from said cage, and

means providing restraint against longitudinal movement of said supportfor said blade carrier.

11. A hair cutter comprising,

a blade carrier for supporting a blade in a series of hair cuttingpositions,

a frame therefor including a handle,

a cage attached to said frame,

driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing lateral movementthereof to the series of hair cutting positions,

means for mounting said blade carrier for longitudinal movementincluding guideways formed in the frame longitudinally thereof,

a support for said blade carrier slidably mounted by said guideways,

an extension to said support extending from said blade carrierlengthwise of the handle,

a slider member for moving said support means and its associated bladecarrier in direction outwardly of the cage and to a position to exposethe blade carrier and blade, and

means providing restraint against longitudinal movement of said supportfor said blade carrier.

12. A hair cutter having a cage comprised of a plurality of elements,

a blade carrier for supporting a double-edged blade for lateral movementin either of two directions, respectively toward one side of said cageand toward the other side of said cage,

a support for said blade carrier having a width sufficient to shield atleast one edge of the doubleedged blade to provide protection againstaccidental contact therewith when said blade carrier is in asubstantially centered position relative to said blade carriersupporting member,

driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing said lateralmovement thereof, to expose a cutting edge of said blade in a selectedposition within said cage,

means for mounting said cage and said blade carrier for relativelongitudinal movement as a whole of one of them relative to the other toexpose said blade carrier for unobstructed removal therefrom andplacement thereon of said blade, and

means for preventing said relative longitudinal movement in all but saidsubstantially centered position.

13. A hair cutter comprising,

a blade carrier,

a support therefor,

a cage at least partially surrounding said blade carrier,

mounting means for said cage for slidably supporting it for movementrelative to said blade carrier for removal of said cage from ahair-cutting position to expose said blade for blade-changing purposes,

latching means for said cage, a first element of which is movable withits said mounting means,

a manually operable element forming a second element of the latchingmeans for engaging said first element when said cage is in saidhair-cutting position, and

means for preventing release of said latching means except when saidblade carrier is in a substantially centered position on said support.

14. The hair cutter of claim 13, in which said support for said bladecarrier has a width sufficient to provide protection against accidentalcontact with at least one edge of the blade when said blade carrier isin said substantially centered position.

15. The hair cutter of claim 13, in which said support has a handleportion and in which driving means are provided for driving said bladecarrier in lateral direction relative to the long axis of said cage.

16. The hair cutter of claim 15, in which said manually operable elementis accessibly mounted on said handle portion on the opposite sidethereof from said driving means.

17. The hair cutter of claim 15, in which said manually operable elementis accessibly mounted on said handle portion on the same side as saiddriving means.

18. A hair cutter comprising, a blade carrier for supporting adouble-edged blade,

a support therefor,

driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing lateral movementthereof from a shielded position where the edges of the blade arerendered incapable of accidental cutting, to selected haircuttingpositions,

means for producing relative longitudinal movement between said bladecarrier and said support when said blade carrier is at a differentlateral position, and

restraining means for restraining operation of said driving means whensaid blade carrier is in its said shielded position. 19. The hair cutterof claim 18, in which there are provided,

means for preventing restraint of said driving means during operationthereof to produce said lateral movement of said blade carrier, and

means for rendering said restraining means effective to restrainoperation of said driving means.

20. The hair cutter of claim 18, in which said restraining meansincludes two elements each having notches,

said restraining means being operable from a neutral position in whichit does not restrain said operation of said driving to two positions inone of which positions it engages a first of said notches and then tothe other of its positions where it engages the second of said notchesand being effective when engaging either of said notches to restrainsaid operation of said driving means with said blade carrier in its saidprotected position.

21. A hair cutter comprising:

a blade carrier for supporting a double-eedged blade,

a support therefor,

driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing lateral movementthereof from a shielded position where the edges of the blade arerendered incapable of accidental cutting, to selected haircuttingpositions, and

restraining means for restraining operation of said driving means whensaid blade carrier is in its said shielded position, said restrainingmeans including two elements, each having notches, said restrainingmeans being operable from a neutral position in which it does notrestrain said operation of said driving means to two positions in one ofwhich positions it engages a first of said notches and then to the otherof its positions where it engages the second of said notches and beingeffective when engaging either of said notches to restrain saidoperation of said driving means with said blade carrier in its saidprotected position and wherein said driving means includes driving anddriven gears with one of said notches being the space between the teethof one of said gears and further including a separate element rotatablewith said driving means having formed therein the other of said notches.

22. A hair cutter comprising:

a blade carrier for supporting a double-edged blade,

a support therefor,

driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing lateral movementthereof from a shielded position where the edges of the blade arerendered incapable of accidental cutting, to selected haircuttingpositions and wherein said driving means includes driving and drivengears, and restraining means for restraining operation of said drivingmeans when said blade carrier is in its shielded position, saidrestraining means being operable from a neutral position in which saiddriving means is unrestrained to a position interlocking with one ofsaid gears for preventing movement of said blade carrier when in itssaid protected position.

23. A hair cutter having a cage made up of a plurality of elements,

a frame to which said elements of said cage are secured, said frameterminating in a handle portion provided with an elongated slot,

a blade carrier for supporting a double-edged blade for lateral movementin either of two directions respectively toward one or the other ofopposite sides of said cage, said blade carrier having a rack gear atone end portion,

a supporting member for said blade carrier, said supporting member andsaid blade carrier having extending therefrom a member which extendsinto the handle portion of length coextensive with said elongated slot,

transporting means extending through said slot for movement along saidslot to move said supporting member, its blade carrier and bladeoutwardly of said cage.

driving means for said blade carrier including a driving gear meshingwith said rack gear,

manually operable means for driving said driving gear, and

at least one component part of said driving means being movable withsaid transporting means to a position preventing lateral movement ofsaid blade carrier when exposed outwardly of said cage.

24. The hair cutter of claim 23, in which said driving means as a wholeis moved within said cage to prevent said lateral movement of said bladecarrier.

25. The hair cutter of claim 23, in which only said gear rack is movablewith said supporting member.

26. The combination of claim 23, in which said supporting member has atransversely extending convex surface nesting within a mating concavesurface forming part of said supporting member for slidably mountingsaid blade carrier for its movement toward and away from one or theother of said apexes, said lastnamed convex and concave members being oflesser width than said cage, and said frame having convex surfacesextending outwardly in opposite directions from its central portion toprovide bearing surfaces for movement of said blade carrier to positionsin juxtaposition respectively with one or the other sets of apexes.

27. The combination of claim 23, in which said supporting member andsaid blade carrier have bearing surfaces of less width than that of saidcage providing for said lateral movement, and said frame having separatebearing surfaces respectively extending outwardly from the respectiveends of said bearing surface of said supporting member to receive saidbearing surface of said blade carrier, said movement of said bearingsurface of said blade carrier into engagement with either of saidbearing surfaces of said frame forming a restraint against movement ofsaid blade carrier outwardly of said cage.

28. The combination of claim 23, in which said elements of said cageprovides continuous encirclement of said blade and its carrier.

29. A hair cutter comprising,

a blade carrier for supporting a blade in a series of hair cuttingpositions, a frame therefor, a cage attached to said frame,

means for mounting said blade carrier for longitudinal movementincluding guideways formed in the frame longitudinally thereof,

driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing lateral movementthereof to the series of hair cutting positions,

a support for said blade carrier slidably mounted by said guideways,

an extension to said support extending from said blade carrier,

a slider member connected to said extension for moving said support andits associated blade carrier in direction outwardly of the cage and to aposition to expose the blade carrier and blade, and

means providing restraint against longitudinal movement of said supportfor said blade carrier.

30. A hair cutter comprising,

a supporting member,

a blade carrier supported by said supporting member and having a centralportion forming a first part of a guideway,

a frame having spaced portions together forming the second part of aguideway to receive said first part during lateral movement of saidblade carrier,

driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing said lateralmovement, and

guiding means in which said supporting means is slidably mounted toprovide longitudinal movement for said blade carrier.

31. The combination with a hair cutter having a cage made up of aplurality of elements, each of relatively small cross-sectional area,forming oppositely disposed apexes,

a blade carrier for supporting a double-edged blade for lateral movementin either of two directions, respectively toward one set of apexes andtoward the other set of apexes,

a support for said blade carrier,

driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing said lateralmovement thereof, and

means for mounting said blade carrier for longitudinal movement,relative to said cage of said blade carrier to expose said blade carrierfor unobstructed removal therefrom and placement thereon of said blade.

32. The combination of claim 31, in which said cage at least partiallysurrounds said blade and blade carrier.

33. The combination of claim 31, in which, longitudinally, said cage andpart of said blade carrier lateral driving means are fixed, and saidblade carrier with the remaining part of its lateral driving means ismovable.

34. The combination of claim 31, in which said support has a widthsufficient to prevent accidental cutting by at least one edge of theblade when said blade is in a substantially centered position relativeto said support.

35. The combination in claim 34 including constraining means whichprevents said blade carrier from moving away from said substantiallycentered position on said blade carrier support when said cage, relativeto said blade carrier, is away from said hair cutting position.

36. The combination of claim 35, in which said driving means forproducing said lateral movement of said blade carrier includes amanually rotatable element having a plurality of notches, a springbiased into engagement with said notches to provide indexing means forsaid rotatable member, at least one of said notches being deeper thanthe remaining notches and serving to indicate when said blade carrier isin its said substantially centered position.

37. The combination of claim 31, and including a tab which moveslongitudinally with said blade carrier for assisting in saidlongitudinal movement of said blade carrier.

38. The combination in claim 33, including a handle to which said cageis fastened,

means for mounting said blade carrier for longitudinal movementcomprising guideways formed in a frame longitudinally thereof, and saidsupport for said blade carrier is slidably mounted in said guideways,

an extension from said blade carrier extending lengthwise of saidhandle, and

a tab for moving said supporting means and its associated blade carrieroutwardly of the cage to expose the blade carrier and blade in aposition removed from said cage.

39. The combination in claim 33, including,

a handle to which said cage is fastened,

means for mounting said blade carrier for longitudinal movementcomprising guideways formed in a frame longitudinally thereof and saidsupport for said blade carrier is slidably mounted in said guideways,

an extension from said blade carrier extending lengthwise of saidhandle, and

a slider member for moving said supporting means and its associatedblade carrier outwardly of the cage to expose the blade carrier andblade in a position removed from said cage.

40. The combination of claim 39, and including means providing restraintagainst longitudinal movement of said support for said blade carrier.

41. The combination of claim 31, including:

means for preventing longitudinal movement of said blade carrier awayfrom a hair cutting position except when said blade carrier is in asubstantially centered lateral position, and

means for preventing lateral movement of said blade carrier away fromsaid substantially centered position when said blade carrier islongitudinally away from a hair cutting position.

42. A hair cutter having a cage comprising a plurality of elements, aframe to which said elements of said cage are secured, said frameterminating in a handle portion provided with a longitudinal elongatedguideway,

a blade carrier for supporting a double-edged blade for lateral movementin either of two directions re spectively toward one or the other ofopposite portions of said cage, said blade carrier having a laterallyoriented gear rack,

a supporting member for said blade carrier having extending therefrom atab for aid in driving blade carrier and blade outwardly and inwardly ofsaid cage,

driving means for said blade carrier including a driving gear meshingwith said gear rack, manually operable means for driving said drivinggear, and

at least one component part of said blade carrier or said blade carrierdriving means being laterally movable from positions where longitudinalmotion of said blade carrier is prevented to at least one position wherelongitudinal motion of said blade carrier is permitted.

43. The hair cutter of claim 42, in which said driving means islongitudinally moved within said cage to prevent said lateral movementof said blade carrier.

44. The hair cutter of claim 42, in which said gear rack is movable withsaid supporting member.

45. The hair cutter of claim 42, in which said supporting member has atransversely extending surface nesting within a mating surface formingpart of said supporting member for slidably mounting said blade carrierfor its movement toward and away from one or the other of oppositeportions of said cage, said mating surface being of lesser width thansaid cage, and said frame having matching surfaces extending outwardlyin opposite directions from its central portion to provide bearingsurfaces for movement of said blade carrier to positions injuxtaposition respectively with one or the other opposite portions ofsaid cage.

46. The hair cutter of claim 42 including,

frictional means for restraining longitudinal motion of said bladecarrier when blade carrier is inwardly or outwardly of said cage.

47. The hair cutter of claim 42 including,

detent means for restraining longitudinal motion of said blade carrierwhen blade carrier is inwardly or outwardly of said cage.

48. A hair cutter comprising,

a blade carrrier for supporting a blade,

a support therefor,

a cage at least partially surrounding said blade and blade carrier,

mounting means for said cage for slidably supporting it for movementrelative to said blade carrier for removal of said cage from a haircutting position to expose said blade for blade-changing purposes,

latching means for said cage, a first element of which is movable withsaid mounting means,

a manually operable element forming a second element of the latchingmeans for engaging said first element when said cage is in said haircutting position, and

means for preventing release of said latching means except when saidblade is in a particular position relative to said support.

49. The hair cutter of claim 48, in which said support for said bladecarrier has a width sufficient to prevent accidental cutting by at leastone edge of the blade when said blade is in substantially centeredposition relative to said support.

50. The hair cutter of claim 49, including constraining means whichprevents said blade carrier from moving away from said substantiallycentered position when cage is in said exposed position.

51. The hair cutter of claim 50 including a handle and in which drivingmeans are provided for driving said blade carrier in lateral directionrelative to the longitudinal axis of said cage.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION P N 3, 855, 696Dated December 24, 1974 Inve t Abram Nathaniel Spanel It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Title Page, Abstract, line 6, delete "Wire",

Column 2, line 2, after "prevented'flinser't Column 2, line 27, delete"balade" and insert --blade'-.

Column line 4, befored'FIG. 20" insert Column line 35, delete "l8" andinsert -28--.

Column line 11, delete "purposse" and insert --purpose-.

Column Column 4, line 54, delete "18a" and insert -28a--.

6, line l2,delete "Ass" and insert -As--.

Column line 37, after "preceding" ,insert --embodiments- Column 7, line14, delete "concave" and insert --conveX-.

Column ll, line 8, after "toward", insert --and-;

Column 13, line 66, delete "different" and insert --designated--.

Column 14, line 16, after "driving", insert means Column 14, line 24,delete "eedged" and insert edged- Signed and sealed this 4th day ofMarch 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officerand Trademarks FORM P0405) (10459) USCOMM-DC scan-P69 I u.5I GOVERNMENTPRINTING OFFICE t I9, 5*35-35,

1. In combination with a hair cutter having a cage made up of aplurality of elements, each of relatively small cross-sectional area,forming at least one row of apexes, a blade carrier for supporting ablade for lateral movement in either of two directions, respectivelytoward away from said apexes, a support for said blade carrier, drivingmeans engaging said blade carrier for producing said lateral movementthereof, means for mounting said cage and said blade carrier forrelative longitudinal movement of one of them, relative to the other, toexpose said blade carrier for unobstructed removal therefrom andplacement thereon of said blade, and means for preventing said relativelongitudinal movement in all but one of its lateral positions.
 2. Thecombination of claim 1, in which said mounting means for said cage has atab for assisting in the movement of said cage longitudinally of saidsupport for blade carrier.
 3. The combination set forth in claim 1, inwhich said support for said blade carrier has a width sufficient toprovide protection against accidental contact with at least one edge ofthe blade when said blade carrier is in a substantially centeredposition relative to said blade carrier supporting member.
 4. Thecombination of claim 3, in which said cage at least partially surroundssaid blade carrier, and in which said mounting means for said cage isslidable relative to said blade carrier for removal of said cage from ahair-cutting position to expose said blade for blade changing purposes,latching means for said cage, a first element of which is movable withsaid mounting means, and a manually operable element forming a secondelement of the latching means for engaging said first element when saidcage is in said hair-cutting position, said means for preventing saidrelative longitudinal movement of said cage with respect to said bladecarrier including restraining means for restraining release of saidlatching means except when said blade is substantially centered in itsposition on said support for said blade carrier.
 5. The combination ofclaim 4, in which there is provided, a handle portion for the haircutter secured to said support for said blade carrier, said restrainingmeans being carried by said handle portion.
 6. The hair cutter of claim4, in which said manually operable element is carried by said handleportion and is exposed on the same side of the handle portion as saidmanually rotatable element, and fulcrum means for moving one element ofsaid latching means in a direction opposite to inward movement of saidmanually operable means to release said latching means.
 7. Thecombination of claim 4, in which said restraining means includes a dischaving a notch, said second element of said latching means having anextension which can enter said notch only when said blade carrier is inits said substantially centered position, thus permitting unlatchingonly when said blade carrier is in its substantially centered position,said driving means including driving and driven gears, and an extensionof said manually operated latching member interlockingly engaging one ofsaid gears to constrain movement of said blade carrier away from saidsubstantially centered position during aNd after movement of said cageto a position exposing said blade carrier and blade.
 8. The combinationof claim 7, in which said latching means and said restraining means areseparate elements, and slider means mounted within the handle portionand movable lengthwise from a latching position to a latch releasingposition conjointly to release said latching means and to constrain saidblade carrier in its centered position during and after removal of saidcage.
 9. The combination of claim 3, in which said driving means forproducing said lateral movement of said blade carrier includes amanually rotatable element having a plurality of notches, a springbiased into engagement with said notches to provide indexing means forsaid rotatable member, at least one of said notches being deeper thanthe remaining notches and serving to indicate when said blade carrier isin its said substantially centered position.
 10. The combination ofclaim 1, in which said means for mounting said blade carrier forlongitudinal movement comprises guideways formed in the framelongitudinally thereof, a support for said blade carrier slidablymounted by said guideways, an extension from said blade carrierextending lengthwise of the handle, a slider member for moving saidsupporting means and its associated blade carrier outwardly of the cageto expose the blade carrier and blade in a position removed from saidcage, and means providing restraint against longitudinal movement ofsaid support for said blade carrier.
 11. A hair cutter comprising, ablade carrier for supporting a blade in a series of hair cuttingpositions, a frame therefor including a handle, a cage attached to saidframe, driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing lateralmovement thereof to the series of hair cutting positions, means formounting said blade carrier for longitudinal movement includingguideways formed in the frame longitudinally thereof, a support for saidblade carrier slidably mounted by said guideways, an extension to saidsupport extending from said blade carrier lengthwise of the handle, aslider member for moving said support means and its associated bladecarrier in direction outwardly of the cage and to a position to exposethe blade carrier and blade, and means providing restraint againstlongitudinal movement of said support for said blade carrier.
 12. A haircutter having a cage comprised of a plurality of elements, a bladecarrier for supporting a double-edged blade for lateral movement ineither of two directions, respectively toward one side of said cage andtoward the other side of said cage, a support for said blade carrierhaving a width sufficient to shield at least one edge of thedouble-edged blade to provide protection against accidental contacttherewith when said blade carrier is in a substantially centeredposition relative to said blade carrier supporting member, driving meansengaging said blade carrier for producing said lateral movement thereof,to expose a cutting edge of said blade in a selected position withinsaid cage, means for mounting said cage and said blade carrier forrelative longitudinal movement as a whole of one of them relative to theother to expose said blade carrier for unobstructed removal therefromand placement thereon of said blade, and means for preventing saidrelative longitudinal movement in all but said substantially centeredposition.
 13. A hair cutter comprising, a blade carrier, a supporttherefor, a cage at least partially surrounding said blade carrier,mounting means for said cage for slidably supporting it for movementrelative to said blade carrier for removal of said cage from ahair-cutting position to expose said blade for blade-changing purposes,latching means for said cage, a first element of which is movable withits said mounting means, a manually operable element forming a secondelement of The latching means for engaging said first element when saidcage is in said hair-cutting position, and means for preventing releaseof said latching means except when said blade carrier is in asubstantially centered position on said support.
 14. The hair cutter ofclaim 13, in which said support for said blade carrier has a widthsufficient to provide protection against accidental contact with atleast one edge of the blade when said blade carrier is in saidsubstantially centered position.
 15. The hair cutter of claim 13, inwhich said support has a handle portion and in which driving means areprovided for driving said blade carrier in lateral direction relative tothe long axis of said cage.
 16. The hair cutter of claim 15, in whichsaid manually operable element is accessibly mounted on said handleportion on the opposite side thereof from said driving means.
 17. Thehair cutter of claim 15, in which said manually operable element isaccessibly mounted on said handle portion on the same side as saiddriving means.
 18. A hair cutter comprising, a blade carrier forsupporting a double-edged blade, a support therefor, driving meansengaging said blade carrier for producing lateral movement thereof froma shielded position where the edges of the blade are rendered incapableof accidental cutting, to selected hair-cutting positions, means forproducing relative longitudinal movement between said blade carrier andsaid support when said blade carrier is at a different lateral position,and restraining means for restraining operation of said driving meanswhen said blade carrier is in its said shielded position.
 19. The haircutter of claim 18, in which there are provided, means for preventingrestraint of said driving means during operation thereof to produce saidlateral movement of said blade carrier, and means for rendering saidrestraining means effective to restrain operation of said driving means.20. The hair cutter of claim 18, in which said restraining meansincludes two elements each having notches, said restraining means beingoperable from a neutral position in which it does not restrain saidoperation of said driving to two positions in one of which positions itengages a first of said notches and then to the other of its positionswhere it engages the second of said notches and being effective whenengaging either of said notches to restrain said operation of saiddriving means with said blade carrier in its said protected position.21. A hair cutter comprising: a blade carrier for supporting adouble-eedged blade, a support therefor, driving means engaging saidblade carrier for producing lateral movement thereof from a shieldedposition where the edges of the blade are rendered incapable ofaccidental cutting, to selected hair-cutting positions, and restrainingmeans for restraining operation of said driving means when said bladecarrier is in its said shielded position, said restraining meansincluding two elements, each having notches, said restraining meansbeing operable from a neutral position in which it does not restrainsaid operation of said driving means to two positions in one of whichpositions it engages a first of said notches and then to the other ofits positions where it engages the second of said notches and beingeffective when engaging either of said notches to restrain saidoperation of said driving means with said blade carrier in its saidprotected position and wherein said driving means includes driving anddriven gears with one of said notches being the space between the teethof one of said gears and further including a separate element rotatablewith said driving means having formed therein the other of said notches.22. A hair cutter comprising: a blade carrier for supporting adouble-edged blade, a support therefor, driving means engaging saidblade carrier for producing lateral movement thereof from a shieldedPosition where the edges of the blade are rendered incapable ofaccidental cutting, to selected hair-cutting positions and wherein saiddriving means includes driving and driven gears, and restraining meansfor restraining operation of said driving means when said blade carrieris in its shielded position, said restraining means being operable froma neutral position in which said driving means is unrestrained to aposition interlocking with one of said gears for preventing movement ofsaid blade carrier when in its said protected position.
 23. A haircutter having a cage made up of a plurality of elements, a frame towhich said elements of said cage are secured, said frame terminating ina handle portion provided with an elongated slot, a blade carrier forsupporting a double-edged blade for lateral movement in either of twodirections respectively toward one or the other of opposite sides ofsaid cage, said blade carrier having a rack gear at one end portion, asupporting member for said blade carrier, said supporting member andsaid blade carrier having extending therefrom a member which extendsinto the handle portion of length coextensive with said elongated slot,transporting means extending through said slot for movement along saidslot to move said supporting member, its blade carrier and bladeoutwardly of said cage. driving means for said blade carrier including adriving gear meshing with said rack gear, manually operable means fordriving said driving gear, and at least one component part of saiddriving means being movable with said transporting means to a positionpreventing lateral movement of said blade carrier when exposed outwardlyof said cage.
 24. The hair cutter of claim 23, in which said drivingmeans as a whole is moved within said cage to prevent said lateralmovement of said blade carrier.
 25. The hair cutter of claim 23, inwhich only said gear rack is movable with said supporting member. 26.The combination of claim 23, in which said supporting member has atransversely extending convex surface nesting within a mating concavesurface forming part of said supporting member for slidably mountingsaid blade carrier for its movement toward and away from one or theother of said apexes, said last-named convex and concave members beingof lesser width than said cage, and said frame having convex surfacesextending outwardly in opposite directions from its central portion toprovide bearing surfaces for movement of said blade carrier to positionsin juxtaposition respectively with one or the other sets of apexes. 27.The combination of claim 23, in which said supporting member and saidblade carrier have bearing surfaces of less width than that of said cageproviding for said lateral movement, and said frame having separatebearing surfaces respectively extending outwardly from the respectiveends of said bearing surface of said supporting member to receive saidbearing surface of said blade carrier, said movement of said bearingsurface of said blade carrier into engagement with either of saidbearing surfaces of said frame forming a restraint against movement ofsaid blade carrier outwardly of said cage.
 28. The combination of claim23, in which said elements of said cage provides continuous encirclementof said blade and its carrier.
 29. A hair cutter comprising, a bladecarrier for supporting a blade in a series of hair cutting positions, aframe therefor, a cage attached to said frame, means for mounting saidblade carrier for longitudinal movement including guideways formed inthe frame longitudinally thereof, driving means engaging said bladecarrier for producing lateral movement thereof to the series of haircutting positions, a support for said blade carrier slidably mounted bysaid guideways, an extension to said support extending from said bladecarrier, a slider member connected to said extension for moving saidsupport and its associated blAde carrier in direction outwardly of thecage and to a position to expose the blade carrier and blade, and meansproviding restraint against longitudinal movement of said support forsaid blade carrier.
 30. A hair cutter comprising, a supporting member, ablade carrier supported by said supporting member and having a centralportion forming a first part of a guideway, a frame having spacedportions together forming the second part of a guideway to receive saidfirst part during lateral movement of said blade carrier, driving meansengaging said blade carrier for producing said lateral movement, andguiding means in which said supporting means is slidably mounted toprovide longitudinal movement for said blade carrier.
 31. Thecombination with a hair cutter having a cage made up of a plurality ofelements, each of relatively small cross-sectional area, formingoppositely disposed apexes, a blade carrier for supporting adouble-edged blade for lateral movement in either of two directions,respectively toward one set of apexes and toward the other set ofapexes, a support for said blade carrier, driving means engaging saidblade carrier for producing said lateral movement thereof, and means formounting said blade carrier for longitudinal movement, relative to saidcage of said blade carrier to expose said blade carrier for unobstructedremoval therefrom and placement thereon of said blade.
 32. Thecombination of claim 31, in which said cage at least partially surroundssaid blade and blade carrier.
 33. The combination of claim 31, in which,longitudinally, said cage and part of said blade carrier lateral drivingmeans are fixed, and said blade carrier with the remaining part of itslateral driving means is movable.
 34. The combination of claim 31, inwhich said support has a width sufficient to prevent accidental cuttingby at least one edge of the blade when said blade is in a substantiallycentered position relative to said support.
 35. The combination in claim34 including constraining means which prevents said blade carrier frommoving away from said substantially centered position on said bladecarrier support when said cage, relative to said blade carrier, is awayfrom said hair cutting position.
 36. The combination of claim 35, inwhich said driving means for producing said lateral movement of saidblade carrier includes a manually rotatable element having a pluralityof notches, a spring biased into engagement with said notches to provideindexing means for said rotatable member, at least one of said notchesbeing deeper than the remaining notches and serving to indicate whensaid blade carrier is in its said substantially centered position. 37.The combination of claim 31, and including a tab which moveslongitudinally with said blade carrier for assisting in saidlongitudinal movement of said blade carrier.
 38. The combination inclaim 33, including a handle to which said cage is fastened, means formounting said blade carrier for longitudinal movement comprisingguideways formed in a frame longitudinally thereof, and said support forsaid blade carrier is slidably mounted in said guideways, an extensionfrom said blade carrier extending lengthwise of said handle, and a tabfor moving said supporting means and its associated blade carrieroutwardly of the cage to expose the blade carrier and blade in aposition removed from said cage.
 39. The combination in claim 33,including, a handle to which said cage is fastened, means for mountingsaid blade carrier for longitudinal movement comprising guideways formedin a frame longitudinally thereof and said support for said bladecarrier is slidably mounted in said guideways, an extension from saidblade carrier extending lengthwise of said handle, and a slider memberfor moving said supporting means and its associated blade carrieroutwardly of the cage to expose the blade carrier and blAde in aposition removed from said cage.
 40. The combination of claim 39, andincluding means providing restraint against longitudinal movement ofsaid support for said blade carrier.
 41. The combination of claim 31,including: means for preventing longitudinal movement of said bladecarrier away from a hair cutting position except when said blade carrieris in a substantially centered lateral position, and means forpreventing lateral movement of said blade carrier away from saidsubstantially centered position when said blade carrier islongitudinally away from a hair cutting position.
 42. A hair cutterhaving a cage comprising a plurality of elements, a frame to which saidelements of said cage are secured, said frame terminating in a handleportion provided with a longitudinal elongated guideway, a blade carrierfor supporting a double-edged blade for lateral movement in either oftwo directions respectively toward one or the other of opposite portionsof said cage, said blade carrier having a laterally oriented gear rack,a supporting member for said blade carrier having extending therefrom atab for aid in driving blade carrier and blade outwardly and inwardly ofsaid cage, driving means for said blade carrier including a driving gearmeshing with said gear rack, manually operable means for driving saiddriving gear, and at least one component part of said blade carrier orsaid blade carrier driving means being laterally movable from positionswhere longitudinal motion of said blade carrier is prevented to at leastone position where longitudinal motion of said blade carrier ispermitted.
 43. The hair cutter of claim 42, in which said driving meansis longitudinally moved within said cage to prevent said lateralmovement of said blade carrier.
 44. The hair cutter of claim 42, inwhich said gear rack is movable with said supporting member.
 45. Thehair cutter of claim 42, in which said supporting member has atransversely extending surface nesting within a mating surface formingpart of said supporting member for slidably mounting said blade carrierfor its movement toward and away from one or the other of oppositeportions of said cage, said mating surface being of lesser width thansaid cage, and said frame having matching surfaces extending outwardlyin opposite directions from its central portion to provide bearingsurfaces for movement of said blade carrier to positions injuxtaposition respectively with one or the other opposite portions ofsaid cage.
 46. The hair cutter of claim 42 including, frictional meansfor restraining longitudinal motion of said blade carrier when bladecarrier is inwardly or outwardly of said cage.
 47. The hair cutter ofclaim 42 including, detent means for restraining longitudinal motion ofsaid blade carrier when blade carrier is inwardly or outwardly of saidcage.
 48. A hair cutter comprising, a blade carrrier for supporting ablade, a support therefor, a cage at least partially surrounding saidblade and blade carrier, mounting means for said cage for slidablysupporting it for movement relative to said blade carrier for removal ofsaid cage from a hair cutting position to expose said blade forblade-changing purposes, latching means for said cage, a first elementof which is movable with said mounting means, a manually operableelement forming a second element of the latching means for engaging saidfirst element when said cage is in said hair cutting position, and meansfor preventing release of said latching means except when said blade isin a particular position relative to said support.
 49. The hair cutterof claim 48, in which said support for said blade carrier has a widthsufficient to prevent accidental cutting by at least one edge of theblade when said blade is in substantially centered position relative tosaid support.
 50. The hair cutter of claim 49, including constrainingmeans which prevenTs said blade carrier from moving away from saidsubstantially centered position when cage is in said exposed position.51. The hair cutter of claim 50 including a handle and in which drivingmeans are provided for driving said blade carrier in lateral directionrelative to the longitudinal axis of said cage.